96 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



if not surpasses all other branches of agriculture on this coast, and 

 that the drying and curing of the same is of vast importance to our 

 people, I have invented and patented a cheap and superior process, 

 at Chico, Butte County, California, that is within the means of every 

 fruit-grower to obtain one. I had it in full operation at the park, 

 making raisins, whilst the fair was open, and the grapes were made 

 into superior raisins, to the satisfaction of the examining committee, 

 who awarded me the first premium. Raisins, figs, fruits of all kinds, 

 vegetables, meats, fish, and hop- can lie dried and cured to perfection 

 so cheaply that we now can dry and cure our surplus at a Large profit, 

 and compete with the trade in dried and cured fruits in Eastern and 

 foreign markets, tints returning to us a very large revenue for what 

 has gone to waste heretofore. Therefore, I believe I am entitled to 

 the gold medal to be awarded in the sixth department, for the most 

 meritorious exhibition of California invention for drying and curing 

 fruits, vegetables, hops, and meats. 



I remain yours, most obediently, 



GEORGE A. DE1TZ. 



Woodland, October 8th, 1875. 



To the Directors of the State Agricultural Society: 



< I entlemen : Having made an exhibit of fruits in the sixth depart- 

 ment at the last State Fair, and having been recommended by the 

 committee for the most meritorious exhibition in said department, I 

 beg leave to hereby apply for the gold medal offered by the society in 

 that department. 



I remain, gentlemen, yours truly, 



R. B. BLOWERS. 



SEVENTH DEPARTMENT. 



Sacramento, September 28th, 1875. 



To the Committee on Aivards of the Gold Medals of the State Agricultural 

 Society: 



Gentlemen: In our department, on the merits of executing the 

 finest and best pieces of sculpture in marble which were exhibited at 

 the State Fair of the present year, held in this city, and as regards 

 the same, we submit : 



First — That the exhibition of the same was attended by consider- 

 able eost and labor to me, my object being to have the fine arts of 

 our State, as produced by hammer and chisel, fairly represented, 

 and thus call for all honorable competition in one of the most beauti- 

 ful and ancient conception- that man was capable of conceiving, 

 either in ancient or modern times; and none more encouraged by 

 the kings and emperors of ancient times than the reproduction of 

 aature in stonej it matters not what subject it represented. 



Second — I claim the gold medal for my beautiful display of marble 

 work, in monuments and tablets, of California granite and marble, 

 such as has never been exhibited at any State Fair before in Califor-' 

 nia. And as soon as my competitors learned that I had such pieces 



